Detailing 101 Need to find out how to pamper your new MINI? Find out all the detailing secrets here.

Can a clay bar dry out?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 20, 2009 | 11:56 PM
  #1  
aafflyer's Avatar
aafflyer
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 761
Likes: 2
Can a clay bar dry out?

I bought a clay bay off Ebay before my car was delivered (from a seller with over 2000 feedbacks 100% positive), so probably about 7 to 8 months ago. When I went to use it this weekend it was very hard and did not want to spread out like the Clay Magic bars I have used in the past.

The bar was sealed, though I'm not how well.

Should I go back to the seller and complain? Can I do anything to make the clay more pliable? What's the expected shelf life for a clay bar?
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 06:46 AM
  #2  
lotsie's Avatar
lotsie
Banned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15,382
Likes: 0
Try warming the bar up, maybe put it in a zip-lock bag and place it in warm water for awhile, this may bring it back to life. I keep my clay in sealed zip-locks inside sealed containers, and they last for years, even the used pieces I save for glass cleaning.

What brand is it? Does it pull apart at all, or break off in chunks?

Mark
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:45 AM
  #3  
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,439
Likes: 4
nuke it in the microwave at low temp wrapped in a damp paper towel.

spread on bread and bagles. they are quite tastey.

i recommend you place new clay in sealed containers with
5-10 squirts of QD after each use.
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 01:50 PM
  #4  
Prima Car Care's Avatar
Prima Car Care
Banned
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
I agree with kenchan and lotsie.

Well, except for the part about the bagel spread. You can try that at your own risk!

-Heather
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 02:00 PM
  #5  
CR&PW&JB's Avatar
CR&PW&JB
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,326
Likes: 6
From: PA
Soon after I moved in with my Fiance and I bought the first two MINIs, I bought a new bar of detailing clay. Well, I didn't want the clay to dry up so I went looking for a nice, small, air tight storage container. Found one in the kitchen that appeard to be PERFECT in every way.

A couple of months later, Roxanne had a doggy bag of leftovers from a really nice restaurant and she was looking for a container to put them in. Couldn't find it.

So, when she asked me if I saw her blue/white, round container, I stepped right up and advised her it is serving a very important purpose. It's protecting my detailing clay.

At which point she informed me that it was a ridiculously high-priced container that she bought while traveling out west. She didn't even use it for every-day leftovers. It was only for "special" leftovers like steak and seafood.

My clay is still resting comfortably in it's expensive home.

How the hell was I to know ???
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 02:02 PM
  #6  
CR&PW&JB's Avatar
CR&PW&JB
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,326
Likes: 6
From: PA
BTW, if there are any typos in that post, I just had my eyes dilated and the vision is still not great. Cut me a break.
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 02:30 PM
  #7  
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,439
Likes: 4
wat?

 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 02:36 PM
  #8  
CR&PW&JB's Avatar
CR&PW&JB
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,326
Likes: 6
From: PA
That many typos ?
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 02:42 PM
  #9  
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,439
Likes: 4
i use this cosmetics jar from the container store. cheap house for my clay but functional...

no not the spout bottle... that's for my griot's mud...you can use it to squirt that mud onto the car.

 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PsychoRallye
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
21
Feb 17, 2019 06:08 AM
mauiguyharry
1st Gear
3
Oct 8, 2015 06:53 PM
martinb
General MINI Talk
9
Oct 7, 2015 05:00 PM
AoxoMoxoA
Tires, Wheels, & Brakes
3
Sep 30, 2015 06:00 AM
Nicefeet
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
2
Sep 24, 2015 06:53 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:26 AM.